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Bucks 115, Pistons 92: Putting it on cruise control in the second half

Eric Bledsoe dusted defenders for layups on the regular on the way to a team-high 27 points as Milwaukee took a 20-point lead into the final quarter on the way to a 115-92 win over the Pistons at Fiserv Forum.

Sterling Brown of the Bucks, going up for a shot against the Pistons' Ish Smith, saw extended playing time on Wednesday with the absence of Khris Middleton and finished with 11 points in 19 minutes. Benny Sieu, Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

One of the dominant storylines coming out of the Bucks' Saturday loss to the New York Knicks over the weekend was that second-leading scorer Khris Middleton was benched for the fourth quarter and overtime.

Head coach Mike Budenholzer decided to sit not one, but two starters for the fourth quarter Wednesday night against the Detroit Pistons, choosing to keep Eric Bledsoe and Malcolm Brogdon on the bench. The difference between the two games, though, couldn't have been more stark.

Bledsoe dusted defenders for layups on a regular basis on the way to a team-high 27 points in just three quarters and Brogdon contributed 14 points and six rebounds. Each earned some extra rest as Milwaukee took a 20-point lead into the final period on the way to a 115-92 win at Fiserv Forum.

“I thought the effort by our guys was very good and the togetherness, I thought felt like we were very together defensively," Budenholzer said. "Sometimes you take three or four days without a game and it can be not good, but it’s good to see our guys come out off the start with a good aggressiveness on both ends and find a way to beat a good team.”

With the win, the Bucks improved to 12-2 at home and remained unbeaten coming off a loss.

Middleton, who cleared the air with Budenholzer regarding his benching during the team's three days between games, did not play Wednesday night. Less than an hour before the game, the Bucks announced he was not with the team and would miss the game due to personal reasons.

Budenholzer only learned of Middleton's unavailability between 75 and 90 minutes prior to tip-off. Giannis Antetokounmpo didn't learn he'd be without his usual wingman until about an hour before the game started.

“I don’t remember the last time I played without Khris," Antetokounmpo said. "It’s crazy. That’s weird. ...

“At the end of the day, he’s one of the big parts of our team, one of our leaders, but you’ve got to still play the game without him. I think guys, everybody stepped up, did a great job.”

According to multiple sources, Middleton's absence had nothing to do with basketball or Saturday's game. With Middleton out, Tony Snell joined the starting group, marking Milwaukee's first game-opening lineup change of the season. Snell went on to score 11 points while going 7 of 7 on free throws.

Down Middleton as well as John Henson (left wrist) and Ersan Ilyasova (mild concussion), Budenholzer went deeper into his bench than usual while throwing out a parade of unusual lineups. In general, those moves worked.

Most importantly, though, the Bucks got a big scoring boost from Bledsoe. The starting point guard was relentless from the jump, scoring 11 of his 27 points in the first quarter to help the Bucks build a solid lead that would only grow as the night wore on.

“I thought he kind of set the tone for us offensively in half-court situations with his ability to drive and get to the paint," Budenholzer said. "It really felt like he kind of gave us that little edge early that we were able to maintain. I thought he was great.”

An 11-point game at halftime, the contest turned into a one-sided affair almost immediately in the third quarter.

Antetokounmpo, who had a quiet, six-point first half while limited to 14 minutes due to foul trouble, catalyzed a 19-4 run over the opening 4 minutes, 35 seconds of the third quarter. Loudest among those points – he finished with 15 to go with eight rebounds and five assists – was a thunderous dunk over and through a foul by Blake Griffin -- Detroit's leading scorer with 31 points.

Milwaukee's run to open the third quarter pushed the margin to 26 points and the game was never close again. Thon Maker stepped up with Ilyasova out, annoying Griffin and comporting himself well on defense while scoring 11 points. Sterling Brown, who got some extra playing time, made 3 three-pointers on the way to 11 points.

Budenholzer was able to rest his starters down the stretch while a bench group mopped up. That group included 2017 first-round pick D.J. Wilson, who made his season debut after missing the opening 22 games mostly due to a right hamstring strain. In five minutes, Wilson scored seven points, including making his first two shots of the season – both three-pointers.

At one point, the Bucks' cheering section serenaded Wilson with MVP chants, affirming that the game had gone off the rails in the final minutes. Still, it was a solid debut for Wilson.

"Unfortunately, he started the year with an injury and not being able to play, so for him to get a few minutes, make a couple shots and get out there and mix it up a little bit was really helpful," Budenholzer said. "I think we're a little thin in the big spot, so we look forward to continuing his progress."

Milwaukee Bucks Thon Maker (left) and Tony Snell get a few pointers from Harlem Globetrotters Orlando El Gato Melendez and Lili Champ Thompson (far right). Members of the Harlem Globetrotters made a stop in Milwaukee on Tuesday to play a little basketball with Milwaukee Bucks Thon Maker and Tony Snell after practice at the Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin Sports Science Center in Milwaukee. The Globetrotters were in town promoting their annual Dec. 31 game at Fiserv Forum. Tuesday, December 4, 2018. - Photo by Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel(Photo: Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)